Rogers needs to take a seat

It already had been a week when Kenny Rogers made the decision to duck the Angels. On Wednesday in Arlington, Rogers never gave Larry Rodriguez the same opportunity.

As Rogers initiated a physical confrontation, Rodriguez couldn't duck. He had a 40-pound TV camera on his shoulder, both hands in the "shooter's" position on that camera, and one eye glued to a viewfinder.

The pitcher came at Rodriguez twice, ripping the camera to the ground both times, then kicking it after his last assault.

Rodriguez is one of North Texas' veteran sports shooters, a familiar figure at all athletic events, and in the memory of those who have covered the jock scene in Texas for the last decade, a guy who had never had a cross word with anyone.

But Rambo Rogers, who said he was too injured to face the Angels, somehow mustered up enough courage and physical strength to attack not one, but two TV cameramen in Wednesday's rampage.

In attempting to explain this embarrassing episode, the Rangers went into mush-mouth mode. Owner Tom Hicks admitted it was bad but said he wanted to confer with manager Buck Showalter and general manager John Hart.

This is no time for the team to be going soft on crime at the ballpark. And if Rodriguez files charges, Rogers will be arrested.

But beyond that, Rogers may need help. And not help with a broken bone on his glove hand.

Earlier, Rogers had blown his lid over a disagreement concerning a new contract and on June 17 he attacked a water cooler in the dugout after being removed in the seventh inning of a game.

But Wednesday's scene had the look of an out-of-control Rogers. He should be suspended for at least two weeks. And he should not figure in this team's immediate or future plans.